Gold washer and amalgamator



3 Sheets-Sheet 1.

(No Model.) v S G. W. KIRK.

GOLD WASHER AND AMALGAMATOR.

No. 270,813. Patented Jan. 16,1883.

INVE

fl MAZEZQM'ATTORNEY- R. WITNESSES PETERS. Plvalo-llflwgnphnr. wum am n. c.

(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 2. I

G. W. KIRK.

GOLD WASHER AND AMALGAMATOR. No. 270,813. Patente d Jan.16. 1883.

3 i a 1 a WITNESSES: I

( H MM figuai ATTORNEY- N FETERS. PmwLnho n Mr. Walhhgton. D.c.

3 Sheets-Sheet 3. G. W. KIRK.

GOLD WASHER AND AMALGAMATOR.

No. 270,813. Patented Jan. 16,1883.

INVENTOR.

WITNESSES AM UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE WV. KIRK, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

GOLD WASHER AND AlVlALGAMATOR SPECIFICATION forming partof Letters Patent No. 270,813, dated January 16, 1883,

Application filed March 31,1882. (No model.) I

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEO. W. KIRK, a citizen of the United States, residing at Washington, District of Columbia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Gold Washers and Amalgamators,of which the following is a specification.

' Myinvention consists of a novel construction of revolving slotted cylinder, in combination with an outerhollow'cylinder revolvingin the opposite direction and a series of interior nozzles or jets of water directed radially upon the contents of the slotted cylinder.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a side view of my machine. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal vertical section of the same. Fig. 3 is a detached view of the water-pipe and radial nozzles. Fig. 4 is an end view. Fig. 5 is a transverse section. Fig. 6 is an amalgamatingplate to be placed inside of the outer cylinder.

Upon a suitable frame, A, Fig. l', is mounted a hollow cylinder, 0, provided with handbearings T, resting upon grooved rollers Q. Motion may be given to this cylinder by means ofgear-wheel U and pinion K on power-shaft F, as seen in Fig.4, or by a pulley and band, The lower end of this cylinder is provided with several removable amalgamating plates, (shown at b, Fig. 6,) secured in place by buttons 1); also amalgamating-plates are suspended on the arm V within the discharge end of the cylinder, as shown at W, Fig. 2, for the purpose of catching the floating gold. The ends of this cylinder have large central openings, in which the collars ot' the slotted interior screen revolve without contact between the inner and outer cylinders,as will be more fully explained hereinafter.

A slotted screen, P, is arranged to revolve inside of cylinder 0. It is supported and travels on rollers 0 and O,the latter being grooved to receive the band-bearing B, to prevent endplay of said screen. Motion may be given to this slotted screen by means of chain L and sprocket Wheel F, Fig. 4. This screen has a pocket, P, Fig. 2, from which the gravel will escape, while the nuggets of gold, on account of their greater gravity, will remain in the pocket and may afterward be taken out. The grains of gold will in like manner be caught in the lower end of the outer cylinder, while the gravel goes out at the discharge. If desired, the pocket P may be made close instead of slotted, as described.

A stationary water-pipe, D, extends through the inside of the interior screen, and is pro vided with a series of radial nozzles, N, as seen in Fig. 3, for the purpose of directing jets of water upon the clay or earth'which is to be fed into the upper end of the screen F.

From a sluice-box the earth containing the grain-gold is fed into the slotted screen from spout E, while the two cylinders are slowly revolved in opposite directions, and the nozzles play strong jets of water upon the mass, cutting even stifi' clay to pieces and washing out the gold.

In addition to the amalgamating plates a quantity of quicksilver is placed in the outer cylinder, 0, in order to amalgamate the finer gold carried forward by the flow of water.

Having described my machine, what I claim 1s-- l. Theeombinationofahollowcylinderwith an in terior tubular slotted screen and the water pipe D, provided with radial nozzles located within said screen, and means for revolving said screen and cylinder in opposite directions, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

2. In a gold-washer, the slotted screen provided with thepocket P, for retaining the nuggets of gold, and mechanism for revolving the same, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

3. In a gold washer and amalgamator, the combination of a hollow cylinder provided with central openings at its ends for the ingress and egress of the materials, of the frame for sup- .porting the same, a series of amalgamating plates, and means of supporting them, asdescribed, attached to the frame and projecting through the opening in the exit end of the cyl inder, whereby the said plates are supported within the cylinder in position to catch the floating gold, as set forth.

' In testimony whereot'l affix my signature'in presence of two witnesses.

GEO. \V. KIRK. 

